My Approach to Helping
Combining insight-oriented therapy with body-based, somatic treatment approaches results in lasting change. I invite you to read about my work in detail at my website MelissaLesterLCSW.com, and schedule a free 20-minute consultation to further explore working together.
SPECIALTIES
Women's Issues
Anxiety, Stress, and Overwhelm
Emotional Eating and Overeating
Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain
Trauma Resolution
Family of Origin Issues and Conflict
LGBTQ Issues and Coming Out Later in Life
Life Cycle Transitions
Grief and Loss
MODALITIES
Psychodynamic (Insight-Oriented Therapy)
Somatic and Body-based
Meditation and Mindfulness
EFT Tapping (Acupressure)
Progressive Counting
Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
more
Therapy is the opening of a door that leads you from where you are now to where you want to be. Please feel free to email me with any questions you have or schedule a free 20-minute consultation at my website.
I am looking forward to connecting with you.
More Info About My Practice
AVAILABILITY
Tuesday - Thursday
11 am - 3 pm
Telehealth
Saturday - Sunday
10 am - 7 pm
In Office and Telehealth
INSURANCE
Aetna accepted - In Network
Medicare Part B accepted - In Network
Out of Network for all other insurance
Private pay 60 minute therapy session - 240.00
Superbills provided for your insurance claims
Women's Coming Out Later in Life Group - 25.00
Please reach out to me at Melissa@MelissaLesterLCSW.com to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.
Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance
An authentic connection between client and therapist is the foundation of a safe, constructive and healing therapy experience. I encourage you to do your research about different types of therapy and approaches and to speak with several therapists before choosing who you will work with. It is important that you feel a connection, or the potential for connection, with your therapist. I encourage you to trust your instincts, and to choose a provider from a place of resonance. I also encourage you to ask detailed questions about education, training and clinical approaches and to pay attention to both what the provider says and how they make you feel. We don't always choose right the first time, so please also give yourself permission to take your time, change your mind, and trust what feels right at the bottom of your belly.
Your relationship with your therapist should offer you emotional safety, very clear boundaries, acceptance, nurturing, healing and growth opportunities, insight and ultimately, long term relief. Your therapist's focus should always be on you and how each interaction in therapy can facilitate your growth and your goals.
There are many unique characteristics of a healthy client-therapist relationship, and it is important that you feel connected to and cared for by your therapist in order to do your best work. It is important to feel your therapist's authentic care and concern for you.
A healthy and healing client-therapist relationship includes:
Authentic human connection
Feeling seen, heard, validated
Trust, safety, openness and good will
The therapist's skill, experience and expertise
Confidentiality within legal limits (See Informed Consent and HIPAA Notice for exceptions.)
Clear boundaries within a primary, non-dual relationship (See Informed Consent and HIPAA Notice for details.)
Collaboration, mutual respect and pursuit of the client's goals at all times
Because advocacy compromises the client-therapist relationship, I do not participate in:
Legal proceedings (divorce, custody, employment, disability, etc.)
Disability proceedings (private insurance, Social Security, claims issues, paperwork, etc.)
Arbitrations or mediations
Disclosure of psychotherapy notes or medical records
Depositions, statements of record, or other non-legal proceedings
I am committed to working with all my clients in a respectful, compassionate, kind, accepting, nonjudgmental and supportive manner. Please let me know if you have any questions at all.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
Many potential clients ask how often I recommend they be seen in therapy. And the simple answer is that we will meet at whatever interval works for you. Factors that affect everyone's decision include time, energy, money, safety, circumstances and the specific reasons for seeking therapy. I am happy to discuss all of these with you and help you determine what will work most effectively for you.
Attending productive therapy appointments once per week allows for consistent progress and relief from distress. If your distress level is very high, or if you desire significant change at a faster pace, twice per week is also an option, as are longer sessions. In addition, there are always opportunities for motivated clients to do some of their own work in between sessions, facilitating the process until the next time we meet. Most of the ways we will work together in session are adaptable to being used on your own.
Frequency of appointments does not need to be determined up front and can be changed on an ongoing basis depending on your changing needs. At the end of each appointment I will ask 'Would you like to reschedule?' never assuming the answer is yes. My next question is always 'What time frame feels right to you? I have no expectations about the duration or frequency of your therapy appointments and we will always re-evaluate what feels right for you. Your therapy process should work for you and your unique circumstances and goals.
